Dvar Torah By Rabbi Yochanan Zweig
The forty days from the beginning of Elul through Yom Kippur correspond with the forty days during which Moshe beseeched Hashem to forgive Bnei Yisroel for the sin of the Golden Calf. Since Moshe was answered favorably, descending from Mount Sinai on Yom Kippur with the new set of Tablets, this time period is known as the “Y’mei Ratzon”, a time when it is possible to rekindle our relationship with the Almighty.1
Consequently, Chazal record that during this time a person should accept upon himself greater “chumros” – “stringencies” in his observance. Most perplexing however, is the fact that we do not find any requirement to continue with these observances after the Yomim Nora’im. Performing these stringent acts during this time period only, appears hypocritical. What message are we relaying to the Almighty?
Our Rabbis tell us that the word “Elul” is an acronym for the phrase “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” – “I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me”. These days are designated for focusing upon our relationship with Hashem. If a man were to bring his wife flowers daily, doing the same on their anniversary would not express his love for her. At times which are designated for expressing our true feelings for our loved ones, a form of expression different than that used year-round is required. Similarly, when expressing to Hashem our love and commitment to Him, we must go beyond our regular observance in order to effectively convey our true feelings. Therefore, additional commitments are required only at this time of the year.
1.Kitsur Shulchan Aruch #128:1
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